City Council has amended the City’s budget to provide for receipt of money from the Virginia Department of Transportation, including nearly $1.2 million to install a storm water drainage system along Patton Street, continue street and sidewalk improvements along Craghead Street, and perform street improvements along Lockett Drive and Beech Avenue.
A second funding of $450,000 would be used to resurface South Boston Road. The third funding of $45,000 would be used to install flashing left turn yellow arrows in several high accident intersections. These flashing arrows have been used across the country for several years and have been shown to reduce left turn incidents.
The action was taken at the City Council’s meeting last Tuesday. In addition, City Council voted to:
• approve a resolution to apply for a $1 million federal loan to assist Spectrum Medical — formerly known as the Danville Orthopedic Clinic — with purchasing equipment for its new facility in the former Dan River Inc. Research Building. Spectrum Medical is in adapting the historic textile building into leasable medical and mixed retail space to be known as River District Tower. Spectrum and Danville Regional Medical Center will be the primary tenants. The building also will provide space for two restaurants and a small museum. Construction began last October and is scheduled for completion in early 2017.
• approve a resolution to apply for state transportation funds to continue development of the pedestrian/bicycle trail system. This application will be for a section that will extend the existing trail along Airport Drive to South Boston Road.
• approve a resolution to extend the period for recovering electric power supply costs, increase the power cost adjustment cap, and use $4 million in reserves to reduce the power cost adjustment liability.
In addition to these votes, City Council held a first reading on amending the City’s budget to provide for receipt of an $86,999 grant from the Department of Juvenile Justice for the W.W. Moore Jr. Detention Home.
A first reading is an introductory step required by City code before certain matters can be voted upon by City Council. This step serves to provide public notice of pending action. Council could vote on these matters Tuesday. The earliest votes that can take place will be the Nov. 1 City Council meeting.
Council's meeting included a business session followed by a work session. In work sessions, Council reviews non-routine matters that will be voted upon in future business meetings. In Tuesday’s work session, City Council reviewed financial statements and discussed options to address ongoing traffic concerns on Arnett Boulevard at Wendell Scott Drive.
